Principal Investigator

Dr Lena Palaniyappan, M.D.

Description of study

Title of the research study:    Assessment of Treatment Response in Biologically Defined Schizophrenia Subgroups Using Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Our research study is looking at the effectiveness of a treatment method called Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in reducing the persistent negative symptoms of schizophrenia that current therapeutic approaches do not resolve.

rTMS is Health Canada approved, safe and non-invasive treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety and patients who have partial improvement of symptoms. rTMS works by directly stimulating the brain’s regions with short magnetic pulses. With repeated treatments, the magnetic pulses aim to strengthen brain connectivity which can contribute to reducing negative symptoms.

We hope that our study results will contribute to the establishment of rTMS treatment in routine clinical practice, offering patients with schizophrenia access to an entirely new treatment that is specifically for persistent negative symptoms.

Financial compensation

Yes

Functioning

Financial compensation:
Yes, for the time spent in the study.

Study Requirements & Procedures:

If you are eligible for our study, we will invite you to do the following:

• 3 visits of 3 hours each (completing some questionnaires relating to clinical symptoms and assessments relating to cognitive functioning)
• 3 weeks of rTMS treatment sessions, from Monday to Friday (30 min each)
• 2 Brain scans (60 min each)
• 1 Blood sample

Benefits

• Your participation will contribute to a better understanding of the nature of mental illness which may lead to earlier intervention and the development of better treatments.

• You will have the opportunity to receive a novel, safe treatment that might help with those troublesome negative symptoms.

Eligibility criteria

• Aged between 18 to 65 years old
• Diagnosis of schizophrenia
• Duration of illness at least one year
• Not pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.
• No metal or implanted medical devices in your body

Information

To participate, please contact:

Nadia Zeramdini
Study Research Coordinator, Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Tel: (514) 761-6131, ext. 3204
Email: nadia.zeramdini.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

 

For more information: